“Judy Says No!”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 9

“Judy Says No!”

SEIMAL STORY

(BY

WINTERED CARTER.)

(t.’HAPTKR X Continued.) “You’re an absolute brick, Judy." “Wouldn’t, you do the same for anyone if you thought they had been ATongfully accused?” “Well, as for that, 1 am not. in the position, but you are. Don’t you realise that if yon clear me it may . jeopardise your position with grand- 1 father?" "Don’t you realise." imitated Jud), i "that if 1 get Harmer House, and gel it unjustly, I shall be for ever unhappy?” "But it wouldn’t be unjustly,' said Nick. “ It would be to my way of think ing. You forget I have been brought up by my father. Half an untruth was as bad as a downright lie to him. He'd be the first to say I could not take anything under such circumstances.' She got to her feet, and her happy laugh rang out. “I am going to clear off now, Nick I don’t want grandfather to come storming through the woods and forbid me to go to the dance to-night. 1 shall tell him 1 have been round here , though. I have made up my mind there is going to be nothing underhand any more. But before I go promise to go to the dance.” He looked at the Harlequin dress and then up at Judy's excited, dancing face. She wanted it so, dear little soul. She was so anxious to unite him and Enid. He was beginning to think that it would be waste of time on her part, but he could not dash all her good spirits and her hopes. ‘‘Very well, Judy, I’ll come,” he said. "You darling, Nick!” said Judy and turning, sho bolted through the gate. He could hear her singing as she went, through the woods, and he stood staring after her. listening to -the beautiful notes that rivalled the thrush. What a glorious voice she had! What a wonderful personality she was! How honest and straight; what integrity! He was proud to think she was his cousin! "If she gets Harmer House it will be the better man getting it!” he said, as he gathered the Harlequin suit end the mask together and tossed them on the chintz-covered couch, and went oul. And, lo and behold, the morning was blue end gold about him, and a roibin, chirruping impudently on the hedge, was friendly. And the gold and wine-red of the beech trees was a feast for his eyes. And as he leap ed into the tractor and turned its nose up the field and set tlie engine going, he found himself whistling. No wonder Judy danced as she went back horqe. She had accomplished what she had set out io do. She had made Nicholas promise to go to the dance. And Lord Kenway had told her that Mr Ventris was going too. She meant lo confront these two with each other. If. as she was beginning to suspect, some man had been posing as Nicholas, then his redemption drew’ near, for to-night Mr Veniris, would most certainly not recognise Nicholas Harmer as the man who had handed over the cheque. But. she was as far as ever from guessing who the real culprit was, but that did not trouble her al, the moment; it was Nicholas’s wrongs that worried her. Now the thought of the dance became of supreme importance in her mind. She was going to the first carnival dance she had” even been to, and it, was only natural that her feet should dance in anticipation. In spite of her own idea to go as a Kate Greenaway girl, her grandfather hAd decided that she should go as Mary Queen'of Scots; as that 111-fated, but beautiful Queen, every detail true to the character, Judy dressed. S’he went tin to ts-ee her grandfather when she was ready, and from under his beetling brows be surveyed her with something almost like tenderness In his glance. "You look very beauUlul, my dear," he said, and his voice trembled. "Oh, grandfa’ier, I am glad you think I look nice,” said Judy. “I am ever so pleased with my frock; it’s lovely. Do you know the silk is so rich it will stand by itself,” she added artlessly. “I have never had a frock like this.” "I hope you will enjoy yourself, my dear. I wish 1 could come and see you.” “Couldn’t you, grandfather?” she said, taking his hand and putting her soft cheek against it. “I’d love it if you could come. I’d promise to sit some dances out with you.” “It would not be fair to rob those who want to dance with you, my dear.” "But I should love it.” said Judy, and he saw from her face that she meant il. She kissed him warmly. They had become very good friends, this sweet Judy and this old curmudgeon of a man with his difficult temper and his distrust of mankind. Judy was giving him back his faith. "I am going along to see how Enid is getting on. I'll tell her to comt' and let you have a look at her. She is going to be beautiful. She Is the Queen of Sheba.” "She would be,” said the. old man with a chuckle. Judy laughed, too. as she went out. She hurried up to Enid’s room. "May I come in?” she said outside. ‘ Yes, of course, you may." said Knid lestilx. Judj went in. Enid was nearly ready. She looked a marvellous girl in her Oriental robes. She glittered with jewellery, not all of il. real by any means. Judy gasped. "You will look the most perfect creature there, of that I am sure,” she said. "Oh, I am so glad, Enid. There is a special reason why I am glad." And then she caught her breath for on Enid’s left had as she lifted it to arrange the striking-looking headdress gleamed a Jewel Judy had not seen before; a diamond sent a thousand sparks of fire from its heart. "What a glorious ring, Enid. Where did you get it from?" said Judy. "That’s an engagement ring, my de>ar," said Enid, yawning. “Now don't fuss, Judy, there’s a good girl.” "Fussl” said Judy in a tense voice. "Does that mean you are engaged to Mr Bourne ? "Heally, Judy, >uu are trying: Who else should 1 be engaged to?” Enid. I implore you, think before! \i«u lake this vila slep Thera Is!

iomoltiing I know, someuung • am going to prove. Nicholas i» nocenl. 1 swear to you that grandfather will have lo admit that he has wronged Nicholas, and things will be as they once were. I have got proof ■ Don i be ridiculous. Judy. said Knid snubbing!J. "I don t believe for a nioineul Dial you have found anything out." "But I have, ’ s j wi Judj rranlica l .* Some other nun has boen lakmg Nicholas's name. I never heard j more astounding story, and I don’t beliexe a word of it. and I’d very much rather you didn t start interfering in my affairs. I am going to marry Boger Bourne. I lia\o made up my mind. I promised hun l would marry him this afternoon ” I warn you that you will regret it,” said Judy. Something in her while face, something in those bright, despairing startled Enid. It was as though site uttered a warning which she couhl not ignore. Would the time coma when she would regret? If onl# she could believe that Judy had go| proof, even at this eleventh hour she would give the ring back to Roger Bourne, because, deep down, she did love Nicholas, not enough to marry, him aj> a poor man, but as deeply al she had it in her to love. There was sure to be a catch in J somewhere. "Who is the man?" she questioned cautiously. "I d’on’t know yet," said Judy, iiefl face clouding. Enid tossed her head in indignation at Judy. Nicholas would not come back inld favour. She would be left stranded high and dry, a poor man's wife, if she were not very careful. The break had been made. Much better to go on in the way that she bad mapped out for herself. Judy was jusl a silly, credulous little creature. II wasn't likely that she knew anythin® that would prove Nick’s innocence. With a gesture of dismissal she turned back to Hie contemplation of he® own beautiful face in the glass. Feeling utterly cold and miserabie, Judy went slowly downstairs and m the car. CHAPTER XI Cinderella Goes to the Ball. Judy went to the ball with ClivgJ but it was a very different Judy frotw flie one who had danced into Enid'si bedroom. Everything was spoiled Jusd because Enid hadn’t enough faith ancn enough love. She could only think od Nick’s disappointment and the achej that he was to suffer, uf the tragedd of it all. She, who knew he was Ing to be there, knew, too, how bitted would be the misery into which Enld’J engagement would plunge him. \n<f then she found that Clive had sessed himself of her hand. "Judy darling, didn’t you wonder why it was that 1 got you alone?" h« said ardently, "uh. darling, I hav® been patient. 1 have waited all this time. The six months is up in a day or two. Judy, 1 hope. yes. I really hope, that, jour grandfather decides not to make you his heiress, because then you will realise how deeplv ( care for you. J love yon so tremendously, Judy. Make me the happiest man in the world. Tell me that you care just a little." She gave a sigh. She had almost forgotten about this. Clive had been as attentive as usual, but lately he had not attempted to make love lo her. “I am not in love with anyone. Clive,” she Said. "Please don’t ask: me because it makes me so unhappy to have lo say no.” “I shan’t give up hope," said Clive. "When a man cares as 1 care he daren't give up. Judy, promise that jou will care if you can?” His eyes were burning down into hors, but she was utterly untouched. For one thing, she was too bewildered and troubled about Nicholas and Enid to have any spare thoughts for her own love affair. For another, he did not stir her. Honestly, she would have preferred it to be Gilbert. “I'm out of love with lov-‘" sho said dispiritedly. "Please, i.live, don't worry me to-night." He looked at her and realised that it was the wrong moment, and gritted his teeth in. exasperation. It was as though she had put up a barrier. “You are going to dance with me,” he said. “I shan't release you from that promise.” “Of course. I am going lo dance with you.” She gave a sigh. "Oh, dear, 1 am so disappointed about Enid being engaged to Roger Bourne "My dear child.” said Clive cvnically, "why don’t you leave Enid and her love affairs alone? You don’t seem to understand that Enid is a shallow little doll. She could not care vitally for anyone but herself. Honestly Nicholas hasn’t lost a great deal in losing her.” But even that did not cheer poor little Cinderella up. However, when she got to Kenway Court il was so magnificently lit up and all so evidently prepared for a big affair that unconsciously she brightened up. "Don't let us forget our masks.” she said as she fitted hers into place. “We don’t any of us want to know' who Is who.” She went Into the radiance, of the magnificent foyer, smiling deliciously. Herbert Kenway greeted her. He looked a magnificent figure. “Rizzio. my liege lady." he said, bowing low. "You arc queen of the ceremonies, remember.” She laughed delightedly. It was a dazzling scene. Nymphs and pierrots, pierrettes and columbines, costers and apaches, chefs and nurses, and a hundred and one other magnificent or simple costumes graced the scene. Dusk was falling, and the lights streamed from the trees like chains of jewels, flashing red, ami gold, ami blue, and green. And presently the band crashed out, aud Herbert Kenway danced with her. It was easy to see that he cared, only Judy's eyes were blind to the fact that this most eligible bachelor was hers for the taking. Ar a matter of fact she was watching out for one man. a Harlequin. Until he came she would know m peace, and when he came, if hs • lid come, she would suffer for hili. 7T«.» be